The executive branch of the Government shall be composed of the Council in non-legislative session and the officers, agents and employees of the Government who serve the local executive function.
The executive powers vested in the County by the Maryland Constitution, the laws of Maryland, and this Charter shall be vested in the Council which shall be the executive authority of the County.
(a) 
To exercise executive powers, the Council shall sit in non-legislative session at least once each month and any additional days the Council may determine. Meetings of the Council in non-legislative session shall be open to the public, except for meetings that may be closed to the public pursuant to State law.
(b) 
Copies of the minutes of non-legislative sessions shall be posted immediately after approval on a bulletin board maintained in a public place by the Government.
The Council shall be responsible for proper and efficient administration of the Government and shall ensure that acts, resolutions, ordinances and laws pertaining to the County are duly executed and enforced.
(a) 
The Council shall appoint a County Manager who shall serve at the pleasure of the Council. Except as otherwise provided in this Charter or State law, all departments, agencies, and offices of the Government shall be subject to the direction, supervision, and control of the County Manager under the authority of the Council. The County Manager shall:
(1) 
Direct, supervise, and coordinate the administrations and functions of all departments, agencies, and offices of the Government, except as may be otherwise provided by law or this Charter;
(2) 
Except as may otherwise be provided in the Charter, hire, suspend, and remove all heads of departments, agencies, and offices of the Government, subject to approval by the Council;
(3) 
Ensure that all laws and provisions of the Charter, which may be subject to enforcement by the County Manager or by officers who are subject to the County Manager's direction and supervision, are faithfully executed;
(4) 
Be entitled to attend all Council meetings, except those concerning the salary or future employment of the County Manager, but the County Manager may not vote;
(5) 
Be responsible for the care and custody of Government buildings and all real property of the Government;
(6) 
Be responsible for administering the purchasing policies of the Government;
(7) 
Present a proposed capital and annual expense budget in a manner and form described in the Charter;
(8) 
Fully advise the Council as to the financial condition and future needs of the County and make appropriate recommendations;
(9) 
Within 90 days following the end of the fiscal year, provide the Council a complete and detailed report on the finances and administrative activities of the Government for the preceding year. Copies of the report shall be available for distribution to the public;
(10) 
Under the direction of the Council make, or cause to be made, studies or investigations that are in the best interests of the County, including but not limited to investigations of the affairs, functions, acts, methods, personnel or efficiency of any department, agency, office, or officer;
(11) 
Recommend legislative measures to the Council whenever appropriate; and
(12) 
Perform other duties as may be prescribed by law, this Charter, or the Council.
The County Manager shall be a United States citizen and appointed on the basis of education and professional experience in business or government and executive and administrative affairs. The County Manager need not be a resident of the County at the time of appointment, but shall become a resident within six months after appointment. The County Manager shall retain residency in the County for as long as the person is employed as the County Manager.
Within the executive branch there shall be departments, agencies, offices, or other bodies prescribed by this Charter or law.
(a) 
The County Attorney shall be the legal advisor and legislative draftsman for the Council. The County Attorney shall be a member in good standing of the Bar of the Court of Appeals of Maryland. The County Attorney shall have been actively engaged in the general practice of law in the State for at least five years prior to appointment. The County Attorney shall be appointed by the Council.
(b) 
The Council may employ special legal counsel to work on problems of a special nature when the work to be done is of a character or magnitude requiring services in addition to those regularly provided by the County Attorney.
(c) 
The County Attorney and assistant County attorneys shall not, while holding office, practice as attorneys before the Council or any department, agency, office, board, or commission of the County in any capacity other than in representing the interests of the Government.
By the year 2006 and at least every four years thereafter, the Council shall have made an evaluation of the organization, functions, powers, and duties of each department, agency, and office in the executive branch of the Government. The evaluation shall address the efficiency and effectiveness of programs, services, and administration.